Whale Watching FAQ's

Well, it doesn’t happen very often, but don’t panic if it does. Some of our best tours have been encounters with Porpoises, Harbor Seals, Bald Eagles, and Steller Sea Lions. Of course, we are always looking for whales, as well as other wildlife, during our trip and there are often times when we leave the dock without a whale report only to find some along the way. With the best crew around, we strive to make every tour the very best it can be and if there are whales in the area we will make every effort to share them with you. And, don’t forget that the beautiful island scenery alone is worth the price of the tour.

With that said, guest satisfaction is our primary goal. No one can control wildlife and weather. They are completely up to mother nature, and there are never any guarantees. However, in addition to all the other beautiful wildlife of the San Juan Islands, we want to give you every opportunity to experience the wonder of encountering and learning about whales in their natural environment. That is why, in the rare occurrence that you don’t see whales (Orcas, Humpbacks, Minkes, Grays, Fins, etc.) on one of our tours, we happily invite you to come again for free. You will receive a voucher code after the tour good for the number of people in your party. Vouchers are not transferrable but have no expiration. This whale sighting policy does not apply on our heavily discounted private charters.

You do not need to bring a passport along for your tour. We may pass through Canadian waters during our tour, but will not need to clear customs. It is, however, always a good idea to carry a valid ID with you.

It is very rare for people to get seasick on our boats. Both boats are very stable and the Salish Sea, where we operate, is relatively protected and is not subject to the large ocean swells one experiences out on the coast. However, some people are very susceptible to motion sickness. If you are one of those people you may want to take a non-drowsy (unless you want to pay for a nice long nap on the boat) motion sickness medication. We also have Sea Bands on board for guest use. Just ask the naturalist when you board.

While the San Juan Islands have some of the best weather around in the Summer, we are still in the Pacific Northwest and you can always plan on it being about 10-15 degrees cooler out on the water. So, layered clothing is the key and remember you will be on a boat, so sensible shoes are best. Also, don’t forget to bring a camera (300 mm lens or bigger recommended for shooting wildlife), binoculars (we also have loaners available), sunglasses, and sunscreen. Most importantly though, bring a fun attitude! This will make your whale watching trip all the more enjoyable.

There is always an urge to experience the whales and wildlife as close as possible. However, we have to remember that we are viewing these animals in their environment and it is best to see how they live without our interference. With this in mind we operate under guidelines and regulations that are in place to help ensure that we don’t change their behavior or interfere with their life cycles. Our guidelines change from year to year based upon the most recent scientific research. What you can expect is that we will not approach the whales within 200 yards in US waters and 200 meters in Canadian waters when we are viewing them. However, keep in mind that these distances on the water will still offer an excellent viewing experience when you are viewing a close to 30 ft long animal.

We always like to say that no two whale watching tours are the same. That is the honest truth. It is hard to say whether the morning is better or the afternoon is better, because usually if we have whales in the area we will see them on both trips. However, there are days when the whales may not be found by the morning trip or they may be out of range for the afternoon trip. Mornings can be a little mellower out on the water, people wise. But, in the end there really isn’t much difference between sightings in the morning or afternoon, the best way to decide is to look at your schedule and plan accordingly.

Yes! The Western Prince is a wonderful platform to take images from as you are a little higher above the water. Like any boat, there is always potential to catch a little salt water spray depending on the conditions, so plan accordingly.

Yes! However, there is always potential to get some salt water spray, especially when we are running at speed. If you have a dry bag, waterproof bag, or camera sleeve that is a great option. Many people have their camera around their neck, then tuck it into the cruiser suit while we travel.

San Juan Island (90 miles north of Seattle) is the best place for orca whale watching as we are located in the heart of Salish Sea. Orca whales range through the San Juan Islands the most between March and October and you can expect to see them on the vast majority of our tours during that time, although we do have sightings throughout the year. Faster boats, flexible trip duration, and our departure location help ensure that our sightings are as high as, or higher than, other companies in the area. Also, keep in mind that the Orca whales we see do travel completely out of the area to the Pacific Ocean from time to time throughout the season and that every year is different depending upon what is happening in the ecosystem. We often see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales as well. Even the few tours that don’t include whales are worthwhile with beautiful island scenery, Bald Eagles, Porpoises, Seals, Sea Lions, and lots of interesting sea birds.

Yes, the Western Explorer II (2.5-3 hour tour) has a basic marine restroom. Please keep in mind that you will have gear on over your clothes to keep you warm, so it is usually best to plan restroom breaks before or after the tour. But it is available if needed.

Yes! Western Explorer does not have food for purchase. If you do want to bring a snack, consider a granola bar or something similar as this boat moves at a high speed which may make eating a challenge. Beverages should be resealable.

The first of its kind on San Juan Island (90 miles from Seattle), Western Prince Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours opened in 1986! Our experienced, passionate team of Captains and Naturalists love to share our vast knowledge of whales, wildlife, and their beautiful Pacific Northwest home with travelers from near and far.